West Ham initiate talks to sign £10.2m-rated striker, but Chelsea could step in and hijack the move
West Ham United have reportedly approached Ligue 1 side Strasbourg to inquire about Emanuel Emegha, but the Dutch striker may ultimately end up joining Chelsea, who could swoop in to secure his services instead.
The Hammers find themselves in a desperate situation with just two weeks remaining in the January transfer window. A spate of injuries has left the east London club short of attacking options, with key players Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen, and Niclas Füllkrug sidelined with serious injuries. These setbacks were painfully evident during their recent 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, a match where West Ham failed to register a single shot on target, leaving them languishing in 14th place in the Premier League.
West Ham’s Pursuit of a Striker
In their search for reinforcements, West Ham have been linked to a number of forwards. Noah Okafor, the AC Milan attacker, was reportedly offered to the club after failing a medical at RB Leipzig. However, TBR Football now understands that West Ham have turned their attention to Emanuel Emegha, a promising Netherlands U21 international who has been impressing in France.
According to Graeme Bailey, Chief Correspondent at TBR Football, the Hammers have officially lodged an inquiry with Strasbourg regarding Emegha. The 21-year-old striker has been in sensational form this season, netting seven goals and providing two assists in just 13 Ligue 1 appearances. His dynamic performances have caught the attention of several clubs, including West Ham, who see him as a potential solution to their attacking woes.
Chelsea’s Influence Over Emegha’s Future
However, West Ham’s pursuit of Emegha faces a significant hurdle due to Strasbourg’s ownership structure. The French club is part of BlueCo, the consortium that also owns Chelsea, meaning any deal involving Strasbourg players could easily be influenced by the Premier League giants.
Reports suggest that Chelsea are not yet ready to part ways with Emegha. In fact, there is speculation that the Dutchman could have a future at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea scouts were reportedly present at the Stade Vélodrome on Sunday to watch Emegha in action as he scored in Strasbourg’s 1-1 draw against Marseille.
Strasbourg and Chelsea’s Transfer Relationship
The close relationship between Strasbourg and Chelsea could play a decisive role in Emegha’s future. The two clubs have a history of trading players, with Andrey Santos and Djordje Petrovic among those sent on loan to Strasbourg from Chelsea. This month, the Blues are also set to finalize the signing of Mamadou Sarr from Strasbourg before loaning the central defender back to the French club.
Strasbourg signed Emegha for €12 million (£10.2 million) from Austrian side Sturm Graz in July 2023. His rapid adaptation to Ligue 1 has turned heads, but his ties to Chelsea through BlueCo ownership make any transfer far from straightforward.
Chelsea’s Plans for Andrey Santos
Meanwhile, Andrey Santos, one of Chelsea’s loanees at Strasbourg, has also been making headlines. Despite playing as a central midfielder, the Brazilian has contributed six goals and two assists in 17 Ligue 1 appearances this season, an impressive return for someone in his position. Sources close to Chelsea indicate that the club is thrilled with his development at Strasbourg and consider him a key part of their future plans.
A Tug-of-War Over Emegha
While West Ham are pushing to sign Emegha in time to address their depleted forward line, Chelsea’s potential interest complicates matters. The Blues could either integrate the Dutchman into their own plans or keep him at Strasbourg for further development, making it difficult for the Hammers to finalize a deal.
With the clock ticking and West Ham in desperate need of reinforcements, their ability to secure Emegha may ultimately depend on whether Chelsea decide to act. Until then, the 21-year-old striker remains a player to watch as both Premier League clubs monitor his progress.
